Friends of the 4th To Host Parade
(Le Mars) — There will be plenty of activities for this Independence Day holiday. In Le Mars the annual 4th of July parade sponsored by Friends of the 4th will begin at 11:00 a.m. from the 8th Street Blvd. Judy Bowman with the Friends of the 4th, says anyone can enter and there isn’t any entry fee for the parade.
The parade will travel north on Central Avenue until 2nd Street north.
Following the parade, the Plymouth County Historical Museum will feature a luncheon catered by Timmy’s Catering.
Later in the afternoon, beginning at 3:00 p.m., the museum will host its annual watermelon feed which will be held on the museum grounds between the two log cabins.
Bowman says the museum will be open today along with Miller’s Lunch Stand where you can purchase a refreshing root beer float for just a dollar.
The Le Mars Municipal Band will perform a series of patriotic-themed songs at the Foster Park gazebo starting at 8:00 p.m. and continuing until 9:00 p.m. Then at 10:00 p.m., if weather permits, will be the 2017 Sky Show featuring fireworks at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Be sure to tune your radios to KLEM 1410-AM or 96.9 FM as a musical tribute will be heard during the fireworks show.
Loutsch Family To Hold Traditional Tractor Parade
(Oyens) — If you have an interest in seeing antique tractors, you may want to visit Oyens during the noon lunch hour as the Loutsch family will present its annual parade of tractors. Nearly 100 different tractors consisting of various models and years will travel the streets of Oyens. Mark Loutsch says this year marks the 25th anniversary for the tractor parade. He talks about how the tractor parade tradition first began.
Loutsch’s tractor collection consists of nearly 100 John Deere tractors and other farm equipment. Folks who may not be able to see the parade, but would still have an interest in seeing the antique tractors can stop at the Loutsch farm on Pioneer Avenue, about a mile west of Oyens, where the antique farm tractors will be on display.
Loutsch says relatives from Minnesota, and friends from as far away as Texas and Montana come to the Loutsch farm to assist with the 4th of July traditional tractor parade. Loutsch says the tractors will travel each street in Oyens before heading back to the farm.
Veterinarian Suggests To Keep Pets Calm During Fireworks
(Le Mars) — The booming sound of fireworks, or even thunder, can often times be troubling for our pets. A Le Mars veterinarian suggests to keep your pet as comfortable as possible in order to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety. Dr. Pat Simonsen with the Le Mars Veterinary Clinic says place your pet in a quiet place.
Simonsen says dog owners may want to spend money on a “protective vest” or “thunder shirt” for their dog to help reduce the level of anxiety.
Simonsen says its not just dogs that are bothered by the loud noises, but cats also are stressed by fireworks and thunder.
The Le Mars veterinarian says the so-called pet “thunder shirts” acts much the same way a child acts with a blanket to snuggle up in order to reduce stress and anxiety.
On occasion, pets will run away from their homes in order to escape the loud noises associated with fireworks and thunder. Simonsen says often times when the noise quiets down, the pet will return to their home.
Simonsen suggests for pet owners to have proper identification tags with your pet in case it would leave its home.
Fireworks Injures Two People
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A four-week-old baby and her mother suffered burns and serious injuries when fireworks exploded on them during an illegal Iowa show.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Margaret Limkemann and her baby were injured when fireworks launched sideways instead of upward at a party Saturday in Swisher.
The projectile struck Margaret and exploded, catching fire. The mother attempted to remove the baby from her lap, tossing her onto a blanket. Both were transported to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
A GoFundMe campaign raising money for the family says the baby suffered a broken femur, fractures and burns. It says Limkemann suffered severe trauma to her legs and needs multiple surgeries.
Property owner Richard Fowler was cited for failure to have a firework permit in violation of county ordinance.
Iowa recently lifted a decades-long ban on fireworks sales.
Iowa To Get New License Plates
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa motorists will start getting new license plates next year.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2tjauis ) that the new design will replace the current white, blue and gray plates that were introduced in 1997.
A spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation says officials already have a variety of draft designs with city and country themes and ones that use the Iowa flag.
Department officials plan to focus on three to five designs as finalists before seeking input from the public. Some of the possible sources of input could include social media, the department’s website and comments from residents
who attend the Iowa State Fair in August.
Motorcycle Fatalities
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a motorcyclist was killed in a late- night crash in downtown Iowa City.
Police say the unidentified motorcyclist was found dead at the intersection of Gilbert and Burlington streets around 11:30 p.m. Sunday after crashing into a utility pole. Traffic near the intersection along Gilbert Street was rerouted
until shortly after 5 a.m. Monday.
Local and state law enforcement responded to the scene. Police say they’re still investigating what caused the crash.
